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Released June 24, 2015 | GALWAY, IRELAND
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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--France's nuclear safety watchdog, the Autorite de Surete Nucleaire (ASN), has cleared Unit 3 of the Tricastin nuclear power plant in southern France for another 10 years of operation.
The ASN said that owner/operator Electricite de France (EPA:EDF) (EDF) (Paris, France) completed a third 10-year safety review for Tricastin 3 on June 2.
"With regard to the third review of reactor safety at the Tricastin 3 nuclear power plant and, taking into account the requirements that it has enacted, the ASN has no objection to the continued operation of this reactor beyond its third review of security," it stated. "The filing of the report of the next Tricastin 3 reactor safety review must take place before March 5, 2023."
EDF is required to comply with certain requirements moving forward, including the implementation by 2017 of the safety upgrades brought in across Europe after the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan in 2011.
Industrial Info is tracking a scheduled maintenance outage at Tricastin 3, which commenced this month and is expected to end in July.
Tricastin is one of France's most important nuclear power plants, comprising four 915-megawatt (MW), pressurized water reactors (PWR) from AREVA S.A. (EPA:CEI) (Paris, France). It is has a total generating capacity of 3,660 MW.
Three of Tricastin's four reactors were used to power the EURODIF uranium enrichment factory at the site until its closure in 2012. The freed-up capacity of approximately 2,700 MW is now fed into the French grid.
Tricastin 1 became the first nuclear reactor in France to have its operational lifetime extended to 40 years in late 2010. For additional information, see December 8, 2010, article - EDF Gets 10-Year Extension for Tricastin Nuclear Plant.
In 2009, the ASN claimed there was no reason why the country's oldest nuclear plants could not operate for another 10 years, as long as they passed a rigorous 10-year inspection. At the time, EDF was running all 34 of the older 900-MW reactor plants, which had an average age of 28 years. For additional information, see related news item from July 10, 2009 - France's Oldest Nuclear Reactors Get 10-Year Lifeline.
France is Europe's most nuclear-dependent nation, relying on nuclear power for about 75% of its electricity, which is generated by a fleet of 58 reactors. Late last year, French politicians voted to cut the country's reliance on nuclear power from 75% to 50% within the next 10 years. For additional information, see October 16, 2014, article - France to Cut Nuclear Reliance to 50%.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, five offices in North America and 10 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities. To contact an office in your area, visit the Industrial Info "Contact Us" page.
The ASN said that owner/operator Electricite de France (EPA:EDF) (EDF) (Paris, France) completed a third 10-year safety review for Tricastin 3 on June 2.
"With regard to the third review of reactor safety at the Tricastin 3 nuclear power plant and, taking into account the requirements that it has enacted, the ASN has no objection to the continued operation of this reactor beyond its third review of security," it stated. "The filing of the report of the next Tricastin 3 reactor safety review must take place before March 5, 2023."
EDF is required to comply with certain requirements moving forward, including the implementation by 2017 of the safety upgrades brought in across Europe after the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan in 2011.
Industrial Info is tracking a scheduled maintenance outage at Tricastin 3, which commenced this month and is expected to end in July.
Tricastin is one of France's most important nuclear power plants, comprising four 915-megawatt (MW), pressurized water reactors (PWR) from AREVA S.A. (EPA:CEI) (Paris, France). It is has a total generating capacity of 3,660 MW.
Three of Tricastin's four reactors were used to power the EURODIF uranium enrichment factory at the site until its closure in 2012. The freed-up capacity of approximately 2,700 MW is now fed into the French grid.
Tricastin 1 became the first nuclear reactor in France to have its operational lifetime extended to 40 years in late 2010. For additional information, see December 8, 2010, article - EDF Gets 10-Year Extension for Tricastin Nuclear Plant.
In 2009, the ASN claimed there was no reason why the country's oldest nuclear plants could not operate for another 10 years, as long as they passed a rigorous 10-year inspection. At the time, EDF was running all 34 of the older 900-MW reactor plants, which had an average age of 28 years. For additional information, see related news item from July 10, 2009 - France's Oldest Nuclear Reactors Get 10-Year Lifeline.
France is Europe's most nuclear-dependent nation, relying on nuclear power for about 75% of its electricity, which is generated by a fleet of 58 reactors. Late last year, French politicians voted to cut the country's reliance on nuclear power from 75% to 50% within the next 10 years. For additional information, see October 16, 2014, article - France to Cut Nuclear Reliance to 50%.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, five offices in North America and 10 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities. To contact an office in your area, visit the Industrial Info "Contact Us" page.
